AN INDIRECT METHOD OF CHARACTERIZING ORGANIC RICH MUDROCK PORE STRUCTURES USING A MULTISCALE PORE NETWORK MODEL

Two-dimensional scanning electron microscopy images taken from shale samples show a wide distribution of pore sizes (10nm-1μm) with complex spatial configurations. Direct observation of the pore inter-connectivity in three dimensions is limited, however, so it is imperative to quantify the pore structure indirectly. In our previous work, we introduced three basic multi-scale pore network connectivity types and studied the effects of each type on the nitrogen sorption loops. In this work, we implement molecular diffusion in the same multiscale pore network models. The temporal scaling of imbibition and tracer concentration profiles of each connectivity type are investigated for signature behavior(s) and correlated with nitrogen sorption loop behavior(s) from our previous work.